Conor Southall's attacker sentenced to 18 months behind bars (From Halesowen News)

Conor Southall's attacker sentenced to 18 months behind bars

12:08pm Thursday 27th September 2012 in News

A 16-YEAR-OLD yob has been sent to youth detention centre after being convicted of staving an aspiring Halesowen rapper’s head in during a violent street attack.

Conor Southall, aged 17, was left fighting for his life after sustaining a serious head injury during the attack on Cocksheds Lane in June during the England versus Sweden Euro 2012 match.

The 16-year-old defendant pleaded guilty at Dudley Youth Court and was handed an 18-month sentence.

Detective Constable Hayley Burden, from the Force Criminal Investigation Department, said: "The young man was left with life threatening injuries which left him in hospital for some considerable time. He is still recovering and may face further surgery.

"We are satisfied with the sentence today which reflects the severity of the attack, which was completely unprovoked. The young lad was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time and has suffered months of rehabilitation."

The attacker was originally charged with maliciously wounding Conor with intent to do him grievous bodily harm but pleaded guilty to a lesser section 20 assault charge.

There was a massive outpouring of support for popular Conor after he was attacked with over 500 people joining a Justice for Conor Facebook group.

The former Oldbury Academy pupil was in a coma for weeks but pulled through and was released from hospital in July but still requires care despite recovering from his injuries.

His mother Mandy Boyes posted in the group this week about her son’s attacker’s sentence.

She said: “Long time coming, let him serve a bit of the sentence Conor has been doing and will be doing for the near future.

“See what it's like not to go out, be watched like a hawk, no socialising with mates.”